It is small consolation that Sen. Leila de Lima is in the company of other authentic heroes across the globe like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Ninoy Aquino, and Pepe Diokno, among many others, who celebrated birthdays inside prison.
While good company assuages the tragedy of arbitrary political incarceration, it does not diminish the blatant derogation of human rights and the utter denial of freedom and due process.
The continuing imprisonment of Leila, which is going on to its third year, is an indubitable indictment against the Duterte administration where gross injustice and repression pervade.
It is also a tribute to the courage and fortitude of a woman who dared to consistently and boldly challenge and criticize President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
We all hope that this horrifying nightmare will soon come to an end and Sen. Leila de Lima regains her freedom.
We wish you well Senator Leila on your 60th birthday on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, and relish this day despite the adversities and harshness of a your unlawful imprisonment.